The guitar : its Mediterranean origins and influence in classical Music

Abstract

The guitar has passed through periods of consideration later follow by periods of negligence. The aim of this work is to deal with the rise and fall of this instrument through its repertoire of serious music better known as 'classical music'. The study is divided into two sections. Section one will be dealing with the guitar's origins and development till the baroque period. Due to uncertainties about the instrument's origins and Mediterranean developments before the fifteenth century, the sixteenth century vihuela and the four-course guitar will be taken as a starting point. Eventually, they were both substituted by the five course guitar which found its popularity in the baroque period. Section two is subdivided into three sections according to a particular period in the history of music. Each section will deal with the influence and achievement of the guitar in the classical music of that particular period. As for the last fifty years, the influence which changes musical compositions made on the guitar will be considered. All this allows ample space as to present the modern classical guitar at a peak of its popularity.